Early years transition

Transition means a time of change. Your child will go through different transitions during their early years.

Transition happens when your child:

  • goes to any childcare or early education setting for the first time
  • moves from one key group to another
  • moves from one early education provider to another
  • starts school in a reception class

All children need careful planning and support during transition. Your child should be at the centre of this process, and you should be involved at every stage.

Transition review meetings

A transition review meeting is a chance for you, your child’s current setting, the new setting, and any professionals involved to come together and plan how to support your child through their move.

These meetings help everyone:

  • share important information about your child
  • agree what support will be needed before, during, and after the move
  • plan any extra visits or settling‑in activities
  • make sure your child feels safe, understood, and ready for their new environment

Transition review meetings should feel relaxed, supportive, and focused on what works best for your child.

Who might be involved?

You may see some or all of the following people:

Professionals already supporting your child:

  • educational psychologist
  • advisory or specialist teachers
  • health visitor
  • speech and language therapist
  • occupational therapist
  • physiotherapist

Staff from the new setting or school:

  • your child’s future key person or class teacher
  • special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCo)
  • early years setting leader or headteacher

Everyone involved works together with you to make sure the transition is well planned and personalised.

What does good transition support look like?

Good practice might include:

  • a transition meeting involving your family, the current setting, professionals, and the new setting
  • staff from the new setting visiting your child at home or in their current setting
  • opportunities for you to share important information with your child’s new key person or teacher
  • a transition booklet with photos of the new environment and staff
  • sharing records about your child’s strengths, needs, and progress
  • a written transition plan to guide the process
  • extra visits or “taster sessions”
  • a flexible settling‑in period tailored to your child

Questions you can ask at a transition review

Some examples are:

  • how will you help my child settle in and feel comfortable?
  • what information about my child would be most useful for you to know?
  • how can I be involved in planning the transition?
  • how will you keep me updated before and after my child starts?
  • what can I do at home to help prepare my child for the move?
  • is there anything I should bring to future meetings or visits?

Starting school (reception)

Children can start school, in reception, at 4 years old in the academic year that they become 5. All mainstream schools have a teacher who is their SENCo. 

You can find more information about applying for a primary school place in Walsall.

Further help

Here are some links to support you and your child during their transition:

Early years SEN Play Advice - (New doc link)